Ethyl Acetate
Ethyl acetate (also known as ethyl ethanoate, acetic acid ethyl ester, acetoxy ethane, 1-
acetoxyethane, EtOAc, ETAC, EA) is an organic ester compound with a molecular formula of
C4H8O2. It is a colorless liquid with a fruity characteristic odor that is commonly recognized in
glues and nail polish remover. Ethyl acetate is extremely flammable with a flashpoint of -4° C
and a flammability rating of 3 and is also highly miscible with all common organic solvents
(alcohols, ketones, glycols, and esters) but only slightly miscibility in water. This product is
commonly used as a solvent for cleaning, paint removal, and coatings.
Technical Properties
Chemical and physical properties of ethyl acetate:
Molecular Formula: C4H8O2 / CH3−COO−CH2−CH3 / CH3COOC2H5
Synonyms: ethyl ethanoate, acetic acid ethyl ester, acetoxy ethane, 1-acetoxyethane,
EtOAc, ETAC, EA
Cas Number: 141-78-6
Molecular Mass: 88.052429 g/mol
Exact Mass: 88.052429 g/mol
Flashpoint: 24°F / -4°C
Boiling Point: 171°F / 77.1 °C at 760 mm Hg
Melting Point: −83.6 °C / −118.5 °F
Vapor Pressure: 93.2 mm Hg at 25 °C
Water Solubility: 64 g/L (at 25 °C)
Density: 0.902 g/cm3
Log P: 0.71
Ethyl acetate process:
There are various methods for manufacturing ethyl acetate. Originally, it was synthesized by
distilling ethanol and acetic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid. It is now primarily produced
commercially via the Tishchenko method of condensing two equivalents of acetaldehyde using
an alkoxide catalyst.
2 CH3CHO → CH3CO2CH2CH3
Another primary method is using Fischer esterification which involves reacting acetic acid with
ethanol, a process accelerated by acid catalysis.
CH3CO2H + CH3CH2OH → CH3CO2CH2CH3 + H2O
Other methods include as a by-product of the oxidation of butane with acetic acid, the
methanolysis of polyvinyl acetate, and the alkylation of acetic acid.
Ethyl acetate has many uses in the industrial and commercial industries as both a solvent and a
diluent.
Ethyl Acetate is manufactured by ESTERIFICATION of Ethyl alcohol (Ethanol) and Acetic
Acid in the presence of a catalyst is passed through a Distillation Zone, then cooled and an
organic layer rich in ethyl acetate is distilled a second time to provide pure Ethyl Acetate
typically the Acetic acid and ethyl alcohol are added in equimolar amounts.
In industrial practice, the Reactor is fed with a slight excess of Alcohol. In the Reactor, the
temperature is maintained to get the right yield and quality. The distillation tower has a number
of trays. The second tower is mainly to remove acetic acid as an impurity. The third tower is a
Finishing column for Purification to obtain 99.9% pure Ethyl Acetate.
Industry Uses
Ethyl acetate is used in various industrial applications such as in paints as a hardener, adhesives,
paint and coating additives, degreasing solvents, active agents, processing aids, and plasticizers.
At a lower purity, it can be used in printing and pharmaceuticals. It is also used in coating
formulations for wood furniture, agricultural, construction equipment, mining equipment, and
marine uses.
Laboratory uses include mixtures used in column chromatography and extractions.
Commercial Uses
The most common use of ethyl acetate is as an ester in wine as it is naturally produced during the
fermentation process. It contributes to the wine’s fruity flavors. It also contributes to the
decaffeination of coffee beans and tea leaves.
Commercial products containing this solvent include automotive products, cleaning and
furnishing care products, paints, coatings, inks, and plastics. It is also used in air care products
and perfumes, as it evaporates quickly leaving only the scent to remain.
As a high-purity solvent, it is used in cleaning electric circuit boards and as a nail polish
remover. At a lower purity, it can be used in perfumes, food, decaffeination of tea/coffee, and a
carrier solvent for herbicides.
Future of Ethyl Acetate:
Ethyl acetate has shown tremendous growth in the domestic market. Production output has
grown at a CAGR of 22% and it has obviated any imports. However, some traders and local
importers continue to bring in the chemical, although the quantity is not enough to disrupt
Domestic production.
The Global Ethyl acetate market is estimated to witness a CAGR of 5.8% during the next 5
years. ASIA-PACIFIC is expected to lead the market in both productions as well as
consumption.
The Global Demand for Ethyl acetate is estimated at 3.7 MMT in 2016, expected to grow at a
CAGR of 5.8 percent until 2021.
Key Players in the Global Market for Ethyl Acetate:
“APAC (Asia Pacific) alone accounts for 82% market share”
The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the global ethyl acetate
market, covering their competitive landscape, capacity, and latest developments like mergers,
acquisitions, investments, expansions of capacity, and plant turnarounds:
Jiangmen Handsome Chemical Development Ltd.
Jiangsu Sopo (Group) Co., Ltd.
Eastman Chemical Company
INEOS Group
Sekab Biofuels & Chemicals AB
Jinyimeng Group Co.,Ltd.
Godavari Biorefineries Ltd.
Solvay
Ethyl Acetate Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights
CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025
Detailed information on factors that will assist ethyl acetate market growth during the
next five years
Estimation of the ethyl acetate market size and its contribution to the parent market
Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior
The growth of the ethyl acetate market
Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors
Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of ethyl acetate market
vendors
Market Scope
India is the 7th largest manufacturer of Ethyl Acetate in the world and have a major market share
in India. Ethyl Acetate finds major applications in Paints and Coatings, Adhesives, Packaging,
Printing, Pharmaceuticals, and Synthesis industries.
The global ethyl acetate market size was $3,323.2 million in 2019 and is projected to reach
$4,368.9 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.07% during the forecast period.
Domestic demand is driven by its use as a solvent for printing inks, paints, and pharmaceuticals
as well as in exports. India exports significant volumes of ethyl acetate, however, domestic
production is not up to full capacity.
Laxmi Organics, JUBL, and GNFC are the chief Ethyl Acetate manufacturers in the domestic
market. Though demand has seen lucrative growth in the last few years, it is still playing catch
up to domestic production. India's domestic production mandates producers and exporters to
export Ethyl Acetate. Currently, China is the biggest importer of Indian Ethyl Acetate, importing
about 90% of the total share. India needs to further expand its percentage of exports and increase
production up to its full capacity so as to enhance the export market or to balance the domestic
demand-supply gap.
Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the largest producer and consumer primary due to China’s ethyl
acetate market growth. Most of the ethyl acetate capacities are concentrated in the Asia Pacific
region; Some of the major ethyl acetate-producing countries are China, India, the United
Kingdom, Japan, and Brazil.
